Going through the Bible for the 15th time now by God’s grace, I tend to meditate more on the stories as it applies to my current life’s situations. Jacob’s pilgrimage story to an unknown land in Genesis 28 – 30 is a story of faith, resilience and a ton of work.
In Jacob’s story God takes him to Haran where his deceitful uncle, Laban lives. Perhaps it was Laban’s genes that coursed through Jacob as he himself is deceitful against his own father and brother.
During the journey, God reveals himself to Jacob at Beersheba. And Jacob makes a promise there to the Lord with a condition.
“Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me and will watch over me on this journey I am taking and will give me food to eat and clothes to wear so that I return safely to my father’s household, then the Lord will be my God and this stone that I have set up as a pillar will be God’s house, and of all that you give me I will give you a tenth.” – Genesis 28:20-22
Then Jacob proceeds to meet his uncle, marry his two wives, Rachel and Leah (who were siblings). He was tricked into marrying Leah (thinking she was Rachel as promised by Laban). Then he had children and he worked for decades for Laban for his wages.
Then God allowed for ways to strain the relationship between Jacob and his father-in-law. So much so that he flees from him!
When you read the entirety of the story, it suggests that God puts tough times in our lives to direct us to our calling and to our blessing.
We all have trials in our lives. But when you know the Lord and walk with Him daily through reading His Word and prayer, you will know that each trial has a purpose.
“Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands.” – Deuteronomy 8:2
I know some people who are going through a rough wilderness right now and it is painful to see them go through it. The truth is, some people lose their way with God while they are there. The lose hope, they lose faith, and they turn to the world to help them. Perhaps this is because they do not have a deep relationship and knowledge of who God really is and how much He loves us.
I also know of people who went through the wilderness experience and though they are bruised and bleeding, they come out a much better person. More resilient, more optimistic, more in love with God. Their faith becomes extremely tough – like diamonds.
I hope and pray that all of us would guard our walk with the Lord so that when tough times come, we will emerge from the wilderness to be faithful.